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Population/Demographics

To raise low birth rates, we must help mothers

Women pay a heavier price for having children, and, as one study found, this child penalty grows as countries become wealthier.
Women pay a heavier price for having children, and, as one study found, this child penalty grows as countries become wealthier.

South Korea’s birthrate, the world’s lowest, rises again amid signs of easing demographic crisis

New births in South Korea started to rebound in 2024 on a post-pandemic boost and supported by government policies.
New births in South Korea started to rebound in 2024 on a post-pandemic boost and supported by government policies.

Almost 24,700 couples in Singapore said ‘I do’ in 2025, lowest since 2020

Mr Kelvin Ngian tied the knot with Ms Charmaine Cheong in November 2025.
Mr Kelvin Ngian tied the knot with Ms Charmaine Cheong in November 2025.

Alberta plans referendum to wrest control over immigration from Canadian government

FILE PHOTO: Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith gestures on the final day of the national convention for Canada's official opposition Conservative Party, in the wake of its April 2025 election loss, the day after party members voted 87.4 per cent in favour of keeping leader Pierre Poilievre, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada January 31, 2026. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith gestures on the final day of the national convention for Canada's official opposition Conservative Party, in the wake of its April 2025 election loss, the day after party members voted 87.4 per cent in favour of keeping leader Pierre Poilievre, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada January 31, 2026. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier/File Photo

Ecuador prison deaths climb again despite Noboa security strategy, data shows

FILE PHOTO: Inmates in cell block 3 bow their head as they listen to a soldier at the militarized Litoral prison,as part of the measures taken by Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa to crackdown on gangs, during a media tour in Guayaquil, Ecuador, February 9, 2024. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Inmates in cell block 3 bow their head as they listen to a soldier at the militarized Litoral prison,as part of the measures taken by Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa to crackdown on gangs, during a media tour in Guayaquil, Ecuador, February 9, 2024. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos/File Photo

Explainer: Swiss to vote on proposal to cap the population

FILE PHOTO: People walk near lake Leamn and the jet d'eau water fountain in Geneva, Switzerland, November 12, 2019. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People walk near lake Leamn and the jet d'eau water fountain in Geneva, Switzerland, November 12, 2019. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

Switzerland to vote on capping population at 10 million

The referendum was triggered automatically because more than 100,000 citizens signed a petition.
The referendum was triggered automatically because more than 100,000 citizens signed a petition.

Commentary

What Thaipusam taught me about the long march to integration in Singapore

ST PHOTO : GAVIN FOO
 ST20260201_202600400554	  tmthaipusam01
Caption: Hindu devotees carry paal kudam, small pots of milk, as they exit Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple during Thaipusam celebrations on Feb 1, 2026.
ST PHOTO : GAVIN FOO
 ST20260201_202600400554	  tmthaipusam01
Caption: Hindu devotees carry paal kudam, small pots of milk, as they exit Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple during Thaipusam celebrations on Feb 1, 2026.

Azerbaijan issues strong protest to Russia over lawmaker's comments on Karabakh trial

A general view shows the headquarters of Armenia's Foreign Ministry in Yerevan, Armenia, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/File Photo
A general view shows the headquarters of Armenia's Foreign Ministry in Yerevan, Armenia, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/File Photo

Azerbaijan hands long prison terms to former Karabakh officials

Arayik Harutyunyan, former leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, where ethnic Armenians maintained an unrecognised breakaway statelet for three decades until Azerbaijan restored military control in 2023, attends a court hearing in Baku, Azerbaijan February 5, 2026, in this screen grab taken from a video. Reuters TV/via REUTERS
Arayik Harutyunyan, former leader of Nagorno-Karabakh, where ethnic Armenians maintained an unrecognised breakaway statelet for three decades until Azerbaijan restored military control in 2023, attends a court hearing in Baku, Azerbaijan February 5, 2026, in this screen grab taken from a video. Reuters TV/via REUTERS

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.